LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International 3D Society and 3D@Home today released their forecast
and trends summary for key segments of the worldwide 3D industry,
including: new theater creation, releases and infrastructure; 3DTV
adoption, programming, packaged media, and advertising; 3D in education,
on mobile devices and the plethora of professional applications. “For a
young digital technology and art form, 3D has captured significant
revenue and the 3D worldwide infrastructure is steadily building,”
states Jim Chabin, President of the organization.

“This is a brilliant list of Hollywood’s
finest creative geniuses. And this list will only grow longer in 2013
and beyond”

The Society forecasts that more than 40 3D features will be released in
2013. “Movie fans are already very excited about ‘The Hobbit,’ ‘The
Great Gatsby,’ and ‘Jurassic Park,’” added Chabin. “8 of the top 10 box
office movies of all time have been either released in 3D, or
re-released in 3D. With an estimated 35,000+ 3D screens worldwide, we
now have the infrastructure to show those movies to fans everywhere.
Consumer enthusiasm for 3D in China, Russia, and Latin America bodes
well for the industry’s future growth.”

The Society also anticipates rapid growth rates in 3DTV based on figures
from several market tracking organizations. The Consumer Electronics
Association projects 2012 US unit sales of 5.5 million 3DTV’s -- more
than double 2011 sales of 2.7 million units. The CEA data also predicts
8.7 million 3DTV’s will be sold in 2013 in the U.S. “We can anticipate a
cumulative total of over 60 million in the US by 2016,” added Chabin.
NPD Group forecasts more than 200 million units in the worldwide
marketplace by 2019. “4K” and “SMART” TVs are both technologies that
will further enable a great 3D experience for consumers.

Market watchers agree that whether on the large screen or the small,
high quality 3D content is key to 3D’s market penetration. Directors
including: Baz Luhrman, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron,
Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, and others have all brought
their mark to the 3D art form. “This is a brilliant list of Hollywood’s
finest creative geniuses. And this list will only grow longer in 2013
and beyond,” added Chabin.

“With 40 networks now programming 3D content worldwide, and 10 planned
in China alone, we are actively producing more and more 3D programming
for the viewer. Consumers can expect -- and should insist -- that their
next television have 3D capability so they can enjoy this programming,”
Chabin advised. “In the years ahead, the coming 4K 3DTV screens will
provide even brighter, better, and more exciting 3D viewing experiences.
Viewers tell us they love what they see, and they want more.”

In the US, consumers can view 3D programming at home from a variety of
sources. Two-year-old 3net -- a joint venture of Discovery, Sony and
IMAX -- has assembled the largest made-for-TV library of native original
3D programming in the world, and airs 24-hours a day. ESPN 3D -- also a
24-hour network – is airing live college football games every Saturday
this Fall, and will broadcast the BCS College Championship game in
January. ESPN’s lineup also includes: college basketball games, the ACC
tournament, the Winter X Games from Aspen Colorado, and the Summer X
Games from Los Angeles. Past 3D telecasts have included: the World Cup,
Wimbledon, the Masters golf tour, and the NBA finals. 3D Society survey
conducted by Seidmon & Associates of New York, indicates strong consumer
appetites for 3D content in the form of movies, sports, nature, travel,
and video games.

“This year we saw the historic first broadcast of the Summer Olympics
from London, in 3D,” said Chabin. “3D-viewers were able to immerse
themselves in the action much more because of the 'front-row' seat that
3D viewing provides. Anticipation is high for the next 3D broadcast of
the Olympics, the 2014 Winter Games.”

3D video on demand and 3D cable services are available from Comcast,
Time Warner, DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Bright House, CableVision, Google
Fiber, and others. Advertisers have created 3D commercials for General
Motors (GM), AT&T, BMW, Coca-Cola, Sony, Mars, Best Buy, motion picture
studios, and others. Even the adult entertainment industry provides a
variety of content on 3D Blu-Ray and online.

More than 200 3D Blu-Ray® disc titles are now available in 3D. “Large
screen 3DTVs offer movie fans the chance to see theatre-quality clarity
and brightness at home,” said Chabin. “Blockbuster movies and
educational documentaries are going to increasingly be made available on
Blu-Ray. In addition, laptops, handheld devices, game consoles, and
streaming services will make 3D content more available to consumers
everywhere. More than 5 million Nintendo 3DS game devices have been sold
in the US alone, as of July 2012. YouTube3D™ now offers 20,000+ 3D
videos available to fans everywhere, any time. Even NASA’s Mars Rover
‘Curiosity’ carries two 3D cameras, which allows us all to see and learn
more about the surface of Mars in 3D from home.”

In schools, 3D educational materials and classroom projectors are
providing students with a better understanding of subjects, including
math, biology, chemistry and geography. Students show better retention
of learning materials and better test scores as a result. According to
the American Optometric Association, 3D can be a valuable tool in
diagnosing and correcting Amblyopia (lazy eye) and other optometric
issues.

2012 also saw the premiere of ‘Transformers 3D,’ the new 3D ride at
Universal Studios, Hollywood. ‘Transformers 3D’ joins the park’s other
major attraction, ‘King Kong 3D’ in creating record-breaking lines of
enthusiastic fans who’ve come to see 2 iconic movies come to life.

“Disruptive new technologies can take time to work their way into our
lives. The digital revolution is never unanimous. But, in a very short
period of time, 3D screens are populating a vast array of devices which
will bring the world and everything in it up-close-and-personal to the
viewer,” said Ray Zone, Society Historian and author of ‘3D Revolution.’
From medicine, to the military, to education, to entertainment, 3D is an
established and growing new medium.

“In the workplace, 3D is becoming a vital tool. For entertainment fans,
it’s seen as very cool. That’s a winning combination in any marketplace,
and as an industry, we have just begun,” concluded Chabin.

About the International 3D Society & 3D@Home
Consortium

The International 3D Society & 3D@Home Consortium advances 3D content,
products and adoption through recognition, networking, communication for
professionals and consumers. With over 60 companies and 500 professional
members, the organization honors the year’s best during its 3D
Technology and 3D Creative Awards programs; hosts worldwide meetings,
workshops and demonstrations; and manages many online resources to
assist consumers and professionals to further understand and integrate
3D into their lives. Visit: www.International3DSociety.com,
www.3DatHome.org,
and 3DUniversity.net to explore the full range of 3D information
available.